HONG KONG: A police officer (L) standing as fire services department personnel making preparations for a rescue diver entering the sewage system to search for the protesters, who escaped from The Hong Kong Poytechnic University — AFP HONG KONG, Nov 20 (Agencies): A four-day siege of Hong Kong's Polytechnic University (PolyU) is nearing an end, although dozens of protesters remain inside.
Around 800 to 900 protesters have already left the campus, hundreds of whom were under 18, police said.
The campus - which turned into a fiery battleground during the past week - is surrounded by police who are arresting for rioting any adults trying to leave.
Some are too scared to leave as a result, leaving them trapped inside.
The campus siege has been one of the most dramatic confrontations in the wider protest movement that has paralysed the city for more than five months.
Triggered by a now-withdrawn controversial bill, the movement has at its root a fear - especially among young people - that their unique identity is under threat from China.
Hong Kong is a part of China, but as a former British colony enjoys freedoms not seen on the mainland.
The US Senate has passed a bill which could strip Hong Kong of its special trade status if it fails to uphold democracy and human rights - though it still needs approval from President Donald Trump.
The bill was swiftly condemned by China, which accused the US of "blatantly" interfering in Hong Kong affairs.
Meanwhile, murder disguised as suicide. A secret massacre at a subway station. Impending 'terrorist' attacks: false news online is amplifying fear and confusion in Hong Kong as months of pro-democracy unrest turns increasingly violent in the real world.
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